Betty Ruth Bonner Blackburn was born June
14, 1951 in Covington, Kentucky, to the late
Love and Laura Bonner. Betty was called home to
be with the Lord, December 18, 2011.
Throughout her life, Betty attended the Newport
School System around the time the school
was first integrated. She was a 1969 graduate of
Newport High School.
Betty professed Christ at an early age and was
baptized in January, 1962 at Mt. Zion Baptist
Church under the leadership of the late Rev. R.J.
Brown. The church?s name was later changed
back to Second Baptist Church.
There she began singing in the Junior Choir for
years and later the Pastoral Choir. She faithfully
served as a Junior and Senior Usher, and also
worked with the Kitchen Committee. She received
a special calling from the Lord and began doing
the church bulletins, which was something she
really loved doing. Betty was then faithfully given
a card ministry where she would send cards to the
sick & shut-in, the bereaved, and words of encouragement
to various people from all walks of life,
even people she never had the opportunity to
meet. She was later given the job at the church. All
she had to do was hear of someone who was sick,
or going through, or anyone who the Lord put on
her mind. A verse of scripture was always enclosed.
After graduation, Betty began her working
career at Fifth-Third Bank in Cincinnati, Ohio.
There she worked in the Transit Operations
Department for 16½ years. She later was employed
by Huntington National Bank in 1989-2011. Betty was diagnosed with lung cancer in
August of 2010 and later retired from Huntington
in 2011.
Betty was married to the late Rev. Thomas L.
Blackburn, Sr. in November, 1984. She and
Thomas became good friends after he joined
Second Baptist Church, at the age of 8. They both
had a real love for music. To this union was born
one child, Kevin James Blackburn.
Betty?s favorite bible verses are: Psalm 27:1,
Jeremiah 32:27, Deuteronomy 31:6. Her favorite
chapter in the bible: II Chronicles 20.
Betty leaves to cherish many memories with
family and friends. She leaves: her son, Kevin
James Blackburn; brothers, Arzell (Gwen) Bonner
of Cincinnati, OH and Albert Bonner of
Cincinnati, OH; sisters, Deloris (Ned) Hayes of
Cincinnati, OH and Doris (Leonard) Foster of
Cincinnati, OH; sister-in-law, Lois Brown of
Covington, KY; stepchildren, Thomas Jr. and
Tamara Blackburn; grandchildren, and a host of
nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
She was preceded in death by brothers, Lonnie,
Frank, Leroy, Herbert and William Bonner; and
sister, Barbara Housley.